The changing economy has brought about a sea change in airline operations across India as air travel becomes more and more affordable. Budget travelers, who previously preferred trains to flights, can now opt to travel by plane without pinching their pickets. Statistics show that the share of low-cost carriers (LCCs) has increased significantly in recent years, mainly because corporate travelers are switching to LCCs due to the economic slowdown. In an attempt to win back these customers, airline operators have introduced low-cost air routes. Full-service airlines have no way to cut their prices, which means the only strategy is to launch fully budget flights or move their flights to the low-cost wing. However, the measure appears to be beneficial to consumers, as discussed below.
The biggest advantage of low cost airlines is that the common consumer or rather the budget traveler can expect to travel by plane. Air travel is no longer a dream for the common man. Low-cost air services don’t come with expensive frills like complimentary food and drinks. Instead, customers can buy their meals and soft drinks on board. They have a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, snacks and drinks to choose from. Some airlines even allow passengers to bring their food. Low cost airlines also allow customers to get low fares with premium brands. Many offer transfer services, including air-conditioned buses to take their clients to the plane.
Although frequent flyer benefits are not available with all LCCs, some airlines do provide these benefits, allowing customers to easily earn and redeem miles. While most premium airlines focus on metropolitan cities, LCCs have also extended air connectivity to bi-tier cities. The LCC’s budget services cover short routes involving cities like Kochi, Coimbatore, Madurai, as well as major cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad. In fact, this low-fare air service initiative is a new trend in the airline industry. Yet another advantage is that consumers can book their tickets online. They can compare ticket fares and know the difference in price to optimize their economic benefits. They can use secure online portals to book, pay and print their tickets in minutes. Mobile ticketing options are an added convenience, as consumers can book their tickets and check flight status on the go.
According to aviation forecasts, India’s low-cost airlines will take over half of the domestic market share. The downsides of budget air travel are few. For example, customers may have to give up some legroom due to cramped seating and luxury amenities. LCCs may not allow flexible transit between different airlines or carriers. However, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, as is evident from the rapid rate at which LCCs are gaining market share. Simply put, low-cost airlines offer quality service, reliable operations, and standard services.